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Nonprofiteer
← SESAME WORKSHOP

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by SESAME WORKSHOP.

Totals

Total revenue
$180,674,492
Total expenses
$169,692,246
Contributions and grants received
$55,596,652
Grants paid
$8,774,556
Program service revenue
$81,522,027
Investment income
$11,946,529
Other revenue
$31,609,284
Total assets, end of year
$584,866,720
Total liabilities, end of year
$70,628,248
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$514,238,472
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$133,952,094
Management and general expenses
$31,897,972
Fundraising expenses
$3,842,180
Program service expenses (Part III)
$133,952,094

Program services were 78.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Listed in Part VII

  • SHERRIE ROLLINS WESTIN

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $1,136,265
    From this org
    $1,099,259
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,006
    Hours/week
    60 + 4 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $807,126
    Bonus
    $281,962
    Other
    $10,171
    Deferred
    $33,842
    Nontaxable benefits
    $3,164
    Filer's total
    $1,136,265

  • GABRIELLE SULZBERGER

    CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • JOAN GANZ COONEY

    HONORARY TRUSTEE (NON-VOTING)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5 + 0.5 related

  • VARUN CHANDRA

    TRUSTEE (THRU 07/2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • STEPHEN DAVIS

    TRUSTEE (AS OF 12/2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • THASUNDA BROWN DUCKETT

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • LEE EASTMAN

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • KATHLEEN G ELSESSER

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • CARLA HARRIS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • VALERIE JARRETT

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • DR AMY BETH JORDAN PHD

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • PAUL LINDLEY

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • JENNA MACK

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • MICHAEL G MANASSE

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • DR BEVERLY DANIEL TATUM

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • ANN RUBINSTEIN TISCH

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • MIRIAM RIVERA

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • JEFFREY WEISS

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • BRETT ROBINSON

    CFO & EVP OF FIN., TECHNOLOGY

    Total calculated
    $529,345
    From this org
    $493,087
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,258
    Hours/week
    60 + 3.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $402,849
    Bonus
    $88,575
    Other
    $1,663
    Deferred
    $34,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,758
    Filer's total
    $529,345

  • VALERIE MITCHELL-JOHNSTON

    EVP/GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $550,026
    From this org
    $436,625
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $113,401
    Hours/week
    60 + 4 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $357,186
    Bonus
    $77,700
    Other
    $1,739
    Deferred
    $34,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $78,901
    Filer's total
    $550,026

  • JOSEPH GIRALDI

    COO (AS OF 01/2025)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    60

  • SHARI ROSENFELD

    SVP INT. SOC. IMPACT (THRU 08/24)

    Total calculated
    $548,247
    From this org
    $468,351
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $79,896
    Hours/week
    60 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $263,342
    Bonus
    $77,859
    Other
    $127,150
    Deferred
    $25,002
    Nontaxable benefits
    $54,894
    Filer's total
    $548,247

  • KAY N WILSON STALLINGS

    EVP, CREATIVE & PRODUCTION

    Total calculated
    $551,141
    From this org
    $527,067
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,074
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $428,871
    Bonus
    $94,480
    Other
    $3,716
    Deferred
    $21,424
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,650
    Filer's total
    $551,141

  • RANDLE WHITFIELD HIGGINS

    EVP & HEAD OF GLOBAL ENT.

    Total calculated
    $513,416
    From this org
    $445,418
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $67,998
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $361,903
    Bonus
    $81,585
    Other
    $1,930
    Deferred
    $30,895
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,103
    Filer's total
    $513,416

  • LESLEY BOURNS

    SVP INT. SOC. IMPACT

    Total calculated
    $380,373
    From this org
    $345,427
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,946
    Hours/week
    60 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $276,741
    Bonus
    $67,253
    Other
    $1,433
    Deferred
    $28,332
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,614
    Filer's total
    $380,373

  • GABRIELA ARENAS RODRIQUEZ

    SVP, GLOBAL LICENSING

    Total calculated
    $444,811
    From this org
    $374,266
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $70,545
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $297,917
    Bonus
    $68,355
    Other
    $7,994
    Deferred
    $14,208
    Nontaxable benefits
    $56,337
    Filer's total
    $444,811

  • JENNIFER ALISON BRYANT

    CHIEF RES, EDU, DATA (THRU 02/25)

    Total calculated
    $507,167
    From this org
    $442,500
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $64,667
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $361,514
    Bonus
    $79,170
    Other
    $1,816
    Deferred
    $32,114
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,553
    Filer's total
    $507,167

  • HILLARY W STRONG

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $527,557
    From this org
    $411,228
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $116,329
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $333,183
    Bonus
    $77,175
    Other
    $870
    Deferred
    $34,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $81,829
    Filer's total
    $527,557

  • SHADRACH KISTEN

    SVP, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $516,733
    From this org
    $400,469
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $116,264
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $322,356
    Bonus
    $75,584
    Other
    $2,529
    Deferred
    $30,878
    Nontaxable benefits
    $85,386
    Filer's total
    $516,733

  • TASKA CARRIGAN

    SVP, BUSINESS AFFAIRS & OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $461,614
    From this org
    $375,422
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $86,192
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $301,493
    Bonus
    $71,760
    Other
    $2,169
    Deferred
    $31,298
    Nontaxable benefits
    $54,894
    Filer's total
    $461,614

  • STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD

    FORMER CEO

    Total calculated
    $761,041
    From this org
    $751,982
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,059
    Hours/week
    0

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $79,493
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $672,489
    Deferred
    $8,050
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,009
    Filer's total
    $761,041

  • DIANA LEE

    FORMER EVP/CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE

    Total calculated
    $178,949
    From this org
    $162,559
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,390
    Hours/week
    0

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $101,451
    Bonus
    $58,512
    Other
    $2,596
    Deferred
    $9,806
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,584
    Filer's total
    $178,949

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 4A
FORMER DIRECTOR, STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD, AND SVP OF INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL IMPACT, SHARI ROSENFELD RECEIVED SEPARATION PAYMENTS IN CALENDAR YEAR 2024. STEPHEN YOUNGWOOD RECEIVED $652,952 AND SHARI ROSENFELD RECEIVED $122,397; THESE AMOUNTS ARE REPORTED IN FORM 990, SCHEDULE J, COLUMN (B)(III).
PART I, LINE 7
SESAME WORKSHOP MAINTAINS A TARGETED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM WHICH FULL TIME STAFF EMPLOYEES ABOVE A CERTAIN JOB LEVEL ARE ELIGIBLE. THE TARGET AMOUNT OF EACH EMPLOYEE'S INCENTIVE COMPENSATION IS BASED ON A COMBINATION OF JOB LEVEL, INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DETERMINES WHETHER INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR EACH GIVEN YEAR AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. INCENTIVE COMPENSATION AWARDS TO OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES ARE APPROVED BY THE PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE BASED ON COMPARABLE MARKET DATA, AS DESCRIBED IN SCHEDULE O.
GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT FORM 990 COMPENSATION
THE FORM 990 COMPENSATION REPORTED FOR THE OFFICERS, KEY EMPLOYEES AND THE TOP FIVE MOST HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES, AS REPORTED IN FORM 990, PART VII AND SCHEDULE J IS BASED ON AMOUNTS REPORTED ON THE FORMS W-2 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024. THE AMOUNTS IN EACH COLUMN ON SCHEDULE J REPRESENT THE FOLLOWING: COLUMN B(I): BASE COMPENSATION REDUCED BY SCHEDULE J REPRESENT THE FOLLOWING PRE-TAX DEDUCTIONS TO MEDICAL OR OTHER CAFETERIA BENEFITS COLUMNS B(II): INCENTIVE COMPENSATION RECEIVED IN CALENDAR YEAR 2024 COLUMNS B(III): NON-TRADITIONAL PAYMENTS SUCH AS A VACATION PAYOUT, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE IN EXCESS OF $50K, AS WELL AS SEVERANCE PAYMENTS (WHEN APPLICABLE) COLUMN C: EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS TO 401K PLAN COLUMN D: EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS NON-TAXABLE BENEFITS, INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, DENTAL INSURANCE, FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS, ETC.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • SESAME STREET INC

    501(C)(2) · TITLE HOLDING · DE · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • THE ELECTRIC COMPANY INC

    501(C)(2) · TITLE HOLDING · DE · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • JOAN GANZ COONEY CENTER FOR EDUCATION

    501(C)(3) · EDU. RESEARCH · DE · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • GALLI GALLI SIM SIM EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE

    N/A · EDU. MEDIA · IN · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL INC

    501(C)(3) · EDU. MEDIA · NY · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • SESAME WORKSHOP BANGLADESH

    CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING · BG · income $183,956 · assets $612,157

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • SESAME WORKSHOP INITIATIVES (INDIA) PLC

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · IN · 99% owned · share of income $1,076,326 · share of assets $10,930,914 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME STREET BRAND MGMT & SVC SHANGHAI

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · CH · 100% owned · share of income $1,457,342 · share of assets $8,668,588 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME WORKSHOP EUROPE GMBH

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · GM · 100% owned · share of income $903,986 · share of assets $2,785,466 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

  • SESAME WORKSHOP LATIN AMERICA

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · MX · 100% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

  • SESAME WORKSHOP EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SOUTH AFRICA

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · SF · 100% owned · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

  • SESAME STREET JAPAN GK

    C · EDUCA. MEDIA · JA · 100% owned · share of income $317,326 · share of assets $1,489,355 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME SERVICES FP

  • CTW COMMUNICATIONS INC

    C · HOLDING · DE · 100% owned · share of income $3,015 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 51 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of assets $3,586,925 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 52 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of assets $2,939,863 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 53 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $2,647,523 · share of assets $2,664,241 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 54 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $64,886 · share of assets $876,055 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 55 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $2,377,517 · share of assets $518,708 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME 56 PRODUCTION INC

    C · TV PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $9,058,697 · share of assets $3,561,130 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP

  • SESAME SERVICES FP INC

    C · VIDEO PRODUCTION · DE · 100% owned · share of income $15,087 · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by SESAME WORKSHOP INTERNATIONAL

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
14 May 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202611349349312926

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